PPic: Oberon Golf Course - Links Pro Am 2006
| Weekly Bible Studies |
| Study 25: December 18th - 24th 2006 Readings
from the Gospel of John “The
woman said to Jesus, “I know that the Messiah will come, and
when he comes, he will tell us everything.” Jesus answered;
I am he, I who am talking to you. At that moment Jesus disciples
returned, and they were greatly surprised to find him talking to
a woman. But none of them said to her, “What do you want?”
or ask him, “Why are you talking to her?” Then the woman
left her water jar, went back to the town, and said to the people
there, “Come and see the man who told me everything I have
ever done. Could he be the Messiah?” So they left the town
and went to Jesus.” When
we play golf, if you approach the game hesitant and with little
confidence, it is likely you wont play well. On the other hand if
you approach your game with enthusiasm and confident in your ability
whatever level that is, then you are likely then to play well. Peter
Senior made the comment that there is not much of a gap at all between
the successful professional and the low handicap player. Where the
big difference develops is with practice, perseverance and attitude
and how we think about ourselves in the heat of the battle. Golf
is such a mind game that one golfer said, golf is 100% mental. There are 2 sets of characters in the bible reading this week as Jesus has a drink at the well, the woman and the disciples. They show us different approaches to Jesus, the woman who was curious and eager; the disciples hesitant and confused. It is no surprise that the woman gains an insight into who Jesus is from her conversation with him and in her excitement leaves her bucket of water behind at the well to rush to tell her friends in town that she could have met the Messiah, the one God would send and the one they were waiting for. She went for water, but has now had a taste of something sweeter, of life. The woman nor the people of the town will be disappointed, because Jesus will meet them and show himself to be the Messiah and they will become believers. He will stay with them for 2 days, teaching them of God’s way of life. The disciples on the other hand are hesitant, when they arrive after buying food; they notice that Jesus has been speaking to a Samaritan woman, something that doesn’t normally happen because of their nations conflicts. The disciples are afraid to ask why Jesus was speaking to a Samaritan woman or to ask the woman, what has been happening. As the disciples bring food to Jesus, he is not hungry for the excitement of his conversation with the woman. Jesus says he has other food that the disciples have no idea of, referring to the words of life that he has spoken to the woman. The disciples scratch their heads in confusion, wondering where Jesus has got food? It is easy to miss the boat with God because we are on a different wavelength to God. I have many conversations with people about God and they are not willing to move beyond their reasoning or experience to a new possibility about life with God. With God, we must be willing to let go of our wisdom, understanding or experience to see the new life that Jesus brings. The woman who came for water was open to listen and in listening heard things about her life through Jesus only God could know. If we want to improve our golf we must be willing to let go of old comfortable habits, but in most cases people are not prepared to do so, preferring the old habits. As Christmas approaches for another year, God is waiting to speak to us, but are we listening? Are we eager, hungry for life that God gives and promises through Jesus? I encourage you to take the time to listen and talk to God through prayer, attending church and reading the bible. Prayer,
Gracious God, help me to seek you with a thirsty and open heart.
Amen. |
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